Allowance of credit
In general
In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter the amount of the qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer.
Year credit allowed
$10,000 credit for adoption of child with special needs regardless of expenses
In the case of an adoption of a child with special needs which becomes final during a taxable year, the taxpayer shall be treated as having paid during such year qualified adoption expenses with respect to such adoption in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of $10,000 over the aggregate qualified adoption expenses actually paid or incurred by the taxpayer with respect to such adoption during such taxable year and all prior taxable years.
Portion of credit refundable
So much of the credit allowed under paragraph (1) as does not exceed $5,000 shall be treated as a credit allowed under subpart C and not as a credit allowed under this subpart.
Limitations
Dollar limitation
The aggregate amount of qualified adoption expenses which may be taken into account under subsection (a) for all taxable years with respect to the adoption of a child by the taxpayer shall not exceed $10,000.
Income limitation
In general
Determination of adjusted gross income
For purposes of subparagraph (A), adjusted gross income shall be determined without regard to sections 911, 931, and 933.
Denial of double benefit
In general
No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense for which a deduction or credit is allowed under any other provision of this chapter.
Grants
No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for any expense to the extent that funds for such expense are received under any Federal, State, or local program.
Carryforwards of unused credit
In general
If the portion of the credit allowable under subsection (a) which is allowed under this subpart for any taxable year exceeds the limitation imposed by section 26(a) for such taxable year reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and section 25D), such excess shall be carried to the succeeding taxable year and added to the portion of the credit allowable under subsection (a) which is allowed under this subpart for such taxable year.
Limitation
No credit may be carried forward under this subsection to any taxable year following the fifth taxable year after the taxable year in which the credit arose. For purposes of the preceding sentence, credits shall be treated as used on a first-in first-out basis.
Definitions
Qualified adoption expenses
Eligible child
Child with special needs
Special rules for foreign adoptions
Filing requirements
Married couples must file joint returns
Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of section 21(e) shall apply for purposes of this section.
Taxpayer must include TIN
In general
No credit shall be allowed under this section with respect to any eligible child unless the taxpayer includes (if known) the name, age, and TIN of such child on the return of tax for the taxable year.
Other methods
The Secretary may, in lieu of the information referred to in subparagraph (A), require other information meeting the purposes of subparagraph (A), including identification of an agent assisting with the adoption.
Basis adjustments
For purposes of this subtitle, if a credit is allowed under this section for any expenditure with respect to any property, the increase in the basis of such property which would (but for this subsection) result from such expenditure shall be reduced by the amount of the credit so allowed.
Adjustments for inflation
In general
Rounding
If any amount as increased under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.
Special rule for refundable portion
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be appropriate to carry out this section and section 137, including regulations which treat unmarried individuals who pay or incur qualified adoption expenses with respect to the same child as 1 taxpayer for purposes of applying the dollar amounts in subsections (a)(3) and (b)(1) of this section and in section 137(b)(1).
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1807(a)110 Stat. 1899 Pub. L. 105–34, title XVI, § 1601(h)(2)(A)111 Stat. 1092 Pub. L. 105–206, title VI112 Stat. 812 Pub. L. 107–16, title II115 Stat. 46–49 Pub. L. 107–147, title IV116 Stat. 45 Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1335(b)(1)119 Stat. 1036 Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 402(i)(3)(A)119 Stat. 2612 Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title I, § 106(e)(2)(A)122 Stat. 3817 Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10909(a)(1)124 Stat. 1021 Pub. L. 111–312, title I, § 101(b)(1)124 Stat. 3298 Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 104(c)(2)(A)126 Stat. 2321 Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 11002(d)(1)(A)131 Stat. 2060 Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(d)(4)(B)(i)132 Stat. 1209 Pub. L. 119–21, title VII139 Stat. 213 (Added , , , § 23; amended , (B), , ; , §§ 6008(d)(6), 6018(f)(1), , , 823; , §§ 201(b)(2)(E), 202(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), (2)(A), (c), (d)(1), (e)(1), (f)(1), (2)(A), , ; , §§ 411(c)(1)(A)–(E), 418(a)(1), , , 57; , , ; , (4), , , 2615; , , ; renumbered § 36C, amended, and renumbered § 23, , (b)(1), (2)(I), (c), , , 1022, 1023; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 70402(a)–(c), 70403(a), , , 214.)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
section 1 of this titleFor inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table under .
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
Pub. L. 95–618, title I, § 101(a)92 Stat. 3175 Pub. L. 96–223, title II94 Stat. 256 Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title IV98 Stat. 826 Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, § 11801(a)(1)104 Stat. 1388–520 A prior section 23, added , , , § 44C; amended , §§ 201, 202(a)–(d), 203(a), , , 258; renumbered § 23 and amended , §§ 471(c), 474(e), title VI, § 612(e)(2), , , 831, 912, related to residential energy credit, prior to repeal by , , .
Amendments
Pub. L. 119–21, § 70402(a)2025—Subsec. (a)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 119–21, § 70402(c)Subsec. (c)(1). , which directed substitution of “portion of the credit allowable under subsection (a) which is allowed under this subpart” for “credit allowable under subsection (a)”, was executed by making the substitution both places appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 119–21, § 70403(a)(1)Subsec. (d)(3)(A). , inserted “or Indian tribal government” after “a State”.
Pub. L. 119–21, § 70403(a)(2)Subsec. (d)(3)(B). , inserted “or Indian tribal government” after “such State”.
Pub. L. 119–21, § 70402(b)Subsec. (h). , amended subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of a taxable year beginning after , each of the dollar amounts in subsection (a)(3) and paragraphs (1) and (2)(A)(i) of subsection (b) shall be increased by an amount equal to—
“(1) such dollar amount, multiplied by
“(2) the cost-of-living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins, determined by substituting ‘calendar year 2001’ for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii) thereof.
If any amount as increased under the preceding sentence is not a multiple of $10, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $10.”
Pub. L. 115–1412018—Subsec. (c)(1). substituted “section 25D” for “sections 25D and 1400C”.
Pub. L. 115–972017—Subsec. (h)(2). substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)”.
Pub. L. 112–240, § 104(c)(2)(A)(i)2013—Subsec. (b)(4). , struck out par. (4). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, the credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess of—
“(A) the sum of the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
“(B) the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and section 25D) and section 27 for the taxable year.”
Pub. L. 112–240, § 104(c)(2)(A)(ii)Subsec. (c). , (iii), added par. (1), redesignated par. (3) as (2), and struck out former pars. (1) and (2) which related to rule for years in which all personal credits allowed against regular and alternative minimum tax and rule for other years, respectively.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 10909(a)(1)(B)Pub. L. 111–3122010—Subsec. (a)(3). , (c), as amended by , temporarily substituted “$13,170” for “$10,000” in heading and text. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 10909(a)(1)(A)Pub. L. 111–312Subsec. (b)(1). , (c), as amended by , temporarily substituted “$13,170” for “$10,000”. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 10909(b)(2)(I)(i)Pub. L. 111–312Subsec. (b)(4). , (c), as amended by , temporarily struck out par. (4). Text read as follows: “In the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, the credit allowed under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess of—
“(A) the sum of the regular tax liability (as defined in section 26(b)) plus the tax imposed by section 55, over
“(B) the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and section 25D) and section 27 for the taxable year.”
See Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 10909(b)(2)(I)(ii)Pub. L. 111–312Subsec. (c). , (c), as amended by , temporarily struck out subsec. (c) which related to carryforwards of unused credit. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 111–148, § 10909(a)(1)(C)Pub. L. 111–312Subsec. (h). , (c), as amended by , temporarily amended subsec. (h) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (h) related to adjustments for inflation. See Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 110–3432008—Subsec. (b)(4)(B). inserted “and section 25D” after “this section”.
Pub. L. 109–135, § 402(i)(3)(A)(i)2005—Subsec. (b)(4). , substituted “In the case of a taxable year to which section 26(a)(2) does not apply, the credit” for “The credit” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 109–135, § 402(i)(3)(A)(ii)Subsec. (c). , reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If the credit allowable under subsection (a) for any taxable year exceeds the limitation imposed by subsection (b)(4) for such taxable year, such excess shall be carried to the succeeding taxable year and added to the credit allowable under subsection (a) for such taxable year. No credit may be carried forward under this subsection to any taxable year following the fifth taxable year after the taxable year in which the credit arose. For purposes of the preceding sentence, credits shall be treated as used on a first-in first-out basis.”
Pub. L. 109–58, § 1335(b)(1)Pub. L. 109–135, § 402(i)(4), which directed amendment of subsec. (c) by substituting “this section, section 25D, and section 1400C” for “this section and section 1400C”, was repealed by . See Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendment notes below.
Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(c)(1)(A)2002—Subsec. (a)(1). , reenacted heading without change and amended text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter—
“(A) in the case of an adoption of a child other than a child with special needs, the amount of the qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer, and
“(B) in the case of an adoption of a child with special needs, $10,000.”
Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(c)(1)(C)Subsec. (a)(2). , struck out concluding provisions which read as follows: “In the case of the adoption of a child with special needs, the credit allowed under paragraph (1) shall be allowed for the taxable year in which the adoption becomes final.”
Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(c)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(c)(1)(D)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “subsection (a)” for “subsection (a)(1)(A)”.
Pub. L. 107–147, § 418(a)(1)Subsec. (h). , substituted “subsection (a)(3)” for “subsection (a)(1)(B)” in introductory provisions and inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 107–147, § 411(c)(1)(E)Subsec. (i). , substituted “the dollar amounts in subsections (a)(3) and (b)(1)” for “the dollar limitation in subsection (b)(1)”.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(a)(1)2001—Subsec. (a)(1). , amended heading and text of par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter the amount of the qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer.”
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(c)Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (b)(1). , substituted “subsection (a)(1)(A)” for “subsection (a)” and “$10,000” for “$5,000” and struck out “($6,000, in the case of a child with special needs)” before period at end.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(b)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i). , substituted “$150,000” for “$75,000”.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(f)(1)Subsec. (b)(4). , added par. (4).
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(f)(2)(A)Subsec. (c). , substituted “subsection (b)(4)” for “section 26(a)” and struck out “reduced by the sum of the credits allowable under this subpart (other than this section and sections 24 and 1400C)” before “, such excess”.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 201(b)(2)(E), substituted “and sections 24 and 1400C” for “and section 1400C”.
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(d)(1)Subsec. (d)(2). , amended heading and text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘eligible child’ means any individual—
“(A) who—
“(i) has not attained age 18, or
“(ii) is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself, and
“(B) in the case of qualified adoption expenses paid or incurred after , who is a child with special needs.”
Pub. L. 107–16, § 202(e)(1)Subsecs. (h), (i). , added subsec. (h) and redesignated former subsec. (h) as (i).
Pub. L. 105–206, § 6018(f)(1)1998—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). , inserted “(determined without regard to subsection (c))” after “for any taxable year” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 105–206, § 6008(d)(6)Subsec. (c). , inserted “and section 1400C” after “other than this section”.
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1601(h)(2)(A)1997—Subsec. (a)(2). , amended heading and text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The credit under paragraph (1) with respect to any expense shall be allowed—
“(A) for the taxable year following the taxable year during which such expense is paid or incurred, or
“(B) in the case of an expense which is paid or incurred during the taxable year in which the adoption becomes final, for such taxable year.”
Pub. L. 105–34, § 1601(h)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(2)(B). , substituted “determined without regard to sections 911, 931, and 933.” for “determined—
“(i) without regard to sections 911, 931, and 933, and
“(ii) after the application of sections 86, 135, 137, 219, and 469.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70402(d)139 Stat. 214
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70403(b)139 Stat. 214
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–97section 11002(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2013 Amendment
Pub. L. 112–240, title I, § 104(d)126 Stat. 2323
Effective and Termination Dates of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–148section 10909(c) of Pub. L. 111–148section 1 of this titleAmendment by terminated applicable to taxable years beginning after , and section is amended to read as if such amendment had never been enacted, see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 111–148section 10909(d) of Pub. L. 111–148section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective and Termination Dates of 2008 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title I, § 106(f)122 Stat. 3817
In general .—
Solar electric property limitation .—
Application of egtrra sunset .—
Effective and Termination Dates of 2005 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 402(i)(3)(H)119 Stat. 2615
Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 402(i)(4)119 Stat. 2615 Pub. L. 109–58, § 1335(b)(1)
Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 402(m)119 Stat. 2615
In general .—
Repeal of public utility holding company act of 1935 .—
Coordination of personal credits .—
Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1335(c)119 Stat. 1036
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–147, title IV, § 411(c)(3)116 Stat. 46
section 418(a)(1) of Pub. L. 107–147Pub. L. 107–16section 418(c) of Pub. L. 107–147section 21 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 312(b)(2)118 Stat. 1181
Pub. L. 107–147, title VI, § 601(b)(2)116 Stat. 59
section 201(b)(2)(E) of Pub. L. 107–16section 201(e)(2) of Pub. L. 107–16section 24 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
Pub. L. 107–16, title II, § 202(g)115 Stat. 49
In general .—
Subsection (a).—
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6018(h)112 Stat. 823
section 6008(d)(6) of Pub. L. 105–206Pub. L. 105–34section 6024 of Pub. L. 105–206section 1 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–34, title XVI, § 1601(j)111 Stat. 1093
In general .—
Certain administrative requirements with respect to certain pension plans .—
Effective Date
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1807(e)110 Stat. 1903
Savings Provision
Pub. L. 115–141section 401(d)(4)(C) of Pub. L. 115–141section 1400 of this titleAmendment by not applicable to certain obligations issued, DC Zone assets acquired, or principal residences acquired before , see , set out as a note under former .
Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(e)132 Stat. 1212
Expenses Paid or Incurred Before 2002
Pub. L. 107–147, title IV, § 411(c)(1)(F)116 Stat. 45
Tax Credit and Gross Income Exclusion Study and Report
Pub. L. 104–188, title I, § 1807(d)110 Stat. 1903